New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav has no qualms in admitting that he draws inspiration from Rohit Sharma while leading the Indian tem in T20Is.
Rohit led India to T20 World Cup triumph in June and then retired from the 20-over format along with star batter Virat Kohli.
Since then the BCCI have appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain, who said he has learnt a lot from his Mumbai Indians team-mate on how to remain level headed during victory and defeat.
Suryakumar will lead India in a four-match T20I series in South Africa from Friday where he said he will impart his vision to Rohit’s captaincy philosophy.
“I have learnt from him (Rohit) that in life, balance is important, after doing well, even if you lose, your character should not change. This is one quality sportsman should have,” he said.
“A leader is one who decides how his team plays a particular format. When I am on the ground, I keep noticing him. How his body language is and how he keeps calm and how he treats his bowlers, how he speaks to everyone on and off the field. I know how he treats his players, what he wants from them.
“That route I have also taken as he has been successful. Obviously, I have put my own masala in it (his own ideas). It’s been going smooth.”
Surya pointed on the need to maintain off-field bonhomie to have chemistry between the players on the field, as well as understanding the mentality of players to get them to perform at their optimum level.
“From a leader, you expect how much time one spends with his guys to build that comfort level. I also try that with my boys. Even when I am not playing, I try to hang out with players, have a meal with them, little things done off the field reflect on the on-field performance,” he said.
“You have to understand what’s happening around and what’s going on in their minds. There needs to be a comfort level as they have different types of skill sets. The freedom to express themselves is very important and I am trying to give them that,” Surya said.
“Whatever is on their mind, I listen carefully and I try and spend a lot of time with them to understand, who can deliver for me under pressure and in crunch situations.”
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